Stainless steel-plated boat hull system and method

ABSTRACT

A stainless-steel boat hull system and method. Exemplary embodiments include a method of maintaining steel-hulled boats, including accessing a steel boat hull, removing surface layers of the boat hull, identifying structurally supportive layers of the boat hull, priming the boat hull, attaching pre-selected stainless steel plates to the boat hull in an overlapped arrangement and connecting adjacent stainless steel plates.

Priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60,723,246, filed Oct. 3, 2005, and entitled “Stainless Steel-Plated Boat Hull System and Method, is claimed.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of boat hulls, and more particularly to a stainless steel-plated boat hull system and method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many boats, typically houseboats, have steel hulls that are subject to rust, corrosion and damage from rocks, sand bars, etc. Boats with steel hulls typically need to be maintained by removing the boat from the water sandblasting existing paint, priming and re-coating, typically with additional steel that typically must eventually have to be maintained again. In general, steel hulled boats must be removed from fresh water every four to five years to be examined for rust corrosion and hull damage. To perform a thorough inspection, the steel hull is typically sandblasted as mentioned above, to remove the existing paint, and then primed and painted, and further typically plated with a new steel hull. Poor coating procedures and hull damage typically results in the protective coatings coming loose, thereby leaving raw metal exposed forming rust corrosion and leaks.

SUMMARY

In general, the invention features a stainless-steel boat hull system and method. The present method typically includes removing the boat, sandblasting, priming then adding (by welding) stainless steel that is not subject to rust and corrosion. In this way, the boat hull results in a maintenance free retrofitted stainless steel hull.

In general, the invention features a method of maintaining steel-hulled boats, including accessing a steel boat hull, removing surface layers of the boat hull, identifying structurally supportive layers of the boat hull, priming the boat hull, attaching pre-selected stainless steel plates to the boat hull, and connecting adjoining stainless steel plates. In an exemplary implementation, the stainless steel plates are overlapped to insure that the existing (carbon) steel hull does not come into contact with the water.

In one implementation, the surface layers include corrosion.

In another implementation, the surface layers include rust.

In another implementation, removing surface layers of the boat hull includes cleaning the hull.

In another implementation, removing surface layers of the boat hull includes sandblasting the hull.

In still another implementation, the method includes inspecting the hull for structurally supporting areas of the hull.

In yet another implementation, removing surface layers of the boat hull further includes exposing raw steel.

In another implementation, the hull is primed with marine grade primer.

In another implementation, the method further includes waiting for a period of time to allow the primer to cure.

In another implementation, the method further includes selectively removing primer from the areas of the boat hull that are structurally supportive.

In another implementation, the steel plates are attached to the structurally supportive areas in which the primer has been removed.

In another implementation the stainless steel plates are connected to the boat hull by welding.

In another implementation, the adjoining stainless steel plates are connected to one another in an overlapped arrangement by welding.

In another implementation, stainless steel rods are used to weld the adjoining stainless steel plates to one another.

In another implementation, attaching pre-selected stainless steel plates to the boat hull, includes welding a stainless steel freeboard plating to an existing steel top plate of the steel boat hull, welding the stainless steel freeboard to a stern stainless steel transom plate, welding a stainless steel bottom plate to the stainless steel freeboard plate and to a steel top bow plate, welding stainless steel plates to stern plates, welding a stainless steel plate to a steel aft deck plating and welding the stainless steel stern plate to the bottom stainless steel plates.

In another implementation, the method further includes welding the stainless steel plates to adjoining stainless steel plates with stainless steel welds.

In another implementation, the method further includes welding stainless steel plates to steel plates with stainless steel welds.

In another aspect, the invention features a boat hull, including a steel top plate, a stainless steel freeboard plate welded to the steel top plate, a stainless steel transom plate connected to the stainless steel freeboard plate in an overlapped arrangement, a steel top bow plate, a stainless steel bottom plate connected to the stainless steel freeboard plate in an overlapped arrangement, a steel stern plate connected to the stainless bottom plate, a top stainless steel plate connected to the steel stern plate, a steel aft plane connected to the top stainless steel plate and a stainless steel stern plate connected to the bottom stainless steel plate in an overlapped arrangement.

In one implementation, the hull further includes stainless steel welds between the connected and overlapped stainless steel plates.

One advantage of the invention is that the retrofitted stainless steel boat hull does not require painting.

Another advantage of the invention is that the hull is environmentally friendly against rust and corrosion spots in fresh water.

Another advantage of the invention is that sinking probability due to rust corrosion leaks is effectively eliminated.

Another advantage of the invention is that boats retrofitted with stainless steel require little maintenance.

Another advantage of the invention is that boats retrofitted with stainless steel have a high level of tolerance to damage from sandbars and other underwater hazards.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention are apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a boat hull maintained by an embodiment of a stainless-steel boat hull method;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the boat hull of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an underside view of the hull of FIGS. 1-2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the method of adding a stainless steel-plated boat hull to an existing steel hull in need of maintenance includes accessing the steel hull, which typically includes removing the boat from the body of water in which the boat is floating. The steel hull boat is typically cleaned and sandblasted thoroughly to inspect the current condition of the hull in order to properly weld stainless steel plates to the most structurally supportive areas of the existing steel hull. The existing steel hull is then primed with a marine grade primer and allowed to cure.

Stainless steel plates are sized and fitted to the identified structurally sound areas of the existing hull. The stainless steel plates are to be connected to the identified areas of the existing hull and therefore it is desirable that there be maximum adhesion to these identified areas. Therefore, the areas that are chosen to be welded are stripped of the cured primer coating so as to ensure maximum adhesion of the stainless steel to the existing hull. It is understood that the welding is done according to sound principles and suitable environment. The stainless steel hull sheets are attached to the existing hull with stainless steel welding rods. Adjoining stainless steel sheets include an overlapped seam, all of which are carefully welded together with stainless steel welding rods so as to form an entirely stainless steel bottom boat, which is typically contiguous. The stainless steel plates are placed such that when the boat is placed back into the water, the plates are well above water level on the sides, stern and bow of the hull.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made to FIGS. 1-3 that illustrate several views of an embodiment of a boat hull maintained by an embodiment of a stainless-steel boat hull method. FIG. 1 illustrates a side view, FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the boat hull of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 illustrates an underside view of the hull of FIGS. 1-2.

In general, the figures illustrate the existing supports 1 of the inside of the hull and freeboard. Stainless steel freeboarding plating 2 is welded to the existing steel top plate. Stainless steel welds 3 not only join and overlap adjacent stainless steel sheets but also attach the stainless steel plates to the existing steel hull with a waterproof seal. Welds 4 joins, seals and attaches the rear of the new stainless steel freeboard plate to the side of the stainless steel stern transom plate in an overlapped arrangement. At point 5 where the front of the new stainless steel freeboard plate is welded to the front of the new stainless steel bottom plating which is also welded to the existing top bow of the boat. A stainless steel weld 6 attaches, joins and seals the new stainless steel freeboard plate with an overlap to the new stainless steel bottom plating. A stainless steel weld seam 7 attaches, joins and seals the new stainless steel plates to the steel stern plating on the rear. A weld location 8 is the top of the new stainless steel plate welded to the existing aft deck plating. Stainless steel weld 9 attaches, joins and seals the stainless steel stern plating to the stainless steel plates on the bottom of the boat in an overlapped arrangement. As discussed above, all stainless steel plates are welded to existing steel plates on the boat. In addition, the new stainless sheets are overlapped and joined together with an overlap to more stainless steel sheets and stainless steel welding rods, the welding to creating a waterproof seal.

The foregoing is considered an illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A method of maintaining steel-hulled boats, comprising: accessing a steel boat hull; removing surface layers of the boat hull; identifying structurally supportive layers of the boat hull; priming the boat hull; attaching pre-selected stainless steel plates to the boat hull; and connecting adjoining stainless steel plates in an overlapped arrangement.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the surface layers include corrosion.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the surface layers include rust.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein removing surface layers of the boat hull includes cleaning the hull.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein removing surface layers of the boat hull includes sandblasting the hull.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising inspecting the hull for structurally supporting areas of the hull.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein removing surface layers of the boat hull further includes exposing raw steel.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hull is primed with marine grade primer.
 9. The method as claimed in 8 further comprising waiting for a period of time to allow the primer to cure.
 10. The method as claimed in 9 further comprising selectively removing primer from the areas of the boat hull that are structurally supportive.
 11. The method as claimed in 10 wherein the stainless steel plates are attached to the structurally supportive areas in which the primer has been removed.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stainless steel plates are connected to the boat hull by welding.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adjoining stainless steel plates are overlapped and connected to one another by welding.
 14. The method as claimed in 13 wherein stainless steel is used to weld the adjoining stainless steel plates to one another.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein attaching pre-selected stainless steel plates to the boat hull, comprises: welding a stainless steel freeboard plating to an existing steel top plate of the steel boat hull; welding the stainless steel freeboard to a stern stainless steel transom plate; welding a stainless steel bottom plate to the stainlss steel freeboard plate and to a steel top bow plate; welding stainless steel plates to steel stern plates; welding a stainless steel plate to a steel aft deck plating; and welding the stainless steel stern plate to the bottom stainless steel plates.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 25 further comprising welding the stainless steel plates to adjoining stainless steel plates with stainless steel welds.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 16 further comprising welding stainless steel plates to steel plates with stainless steel welds.
 18. A boat hull, comprising: a steel top plate; a stainless steel freeboard plate welded to the steel top plate; a stainless steel transom plate connected to the stainless steel freeboard plate; a stainless steel bottom plate connected to the stainless steel freeboard plate in an overlapped arrangement; a steel top bow plate connected to the stainless steel bottom plate in an overlapped arrangement; a stainless steel transom plate connected to the stainless steel bottom plate in an overlapped arrangement; a top stainless steel plate connected to the steel stern plate; a steel aft plate connected to the top stainless steel plate; and a stainless steel stern plate connected to the bottom stainless steel plate in an overlapped arrangement.
 19. The hull as claimed in claim 18 further comprising stainless steel welds between the connected plates. 